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NP:W ENGLAND 



SOLDIERS' RELIEF ASSOCIATION, 



I)p:;ci^:mi5k:k, isg:j. 



FOUNDED BY 



^0us 0f §t\v (Snj^land xmltwt m Mm %»xk 



APHIL 3, 18(;2. 



Offilc^^ 1]9)4 irosi^wty, 



N]©w York .: 



FRANCIS <fc LOUTREL, STEAM PRINTERS AND STATIONERS, I 

45 MAIDEN LANE. ^ 

1S63 



V®^^^-. 




\ 






|le(u €ir§[aub Sofeiers' l^clief ^ssociatioit, 

No. 194 BROAD "^^AY. 



r OFFICEES: 

■^ WILLIAM M. EVARTS, Chairman, 2 nanovcr Street. 

CHARLES GOULD, Vice Chairman, 2 Hanover Street. 
U SAMUEL E. LOW, Treasurer, 81 Burling Slip. 

j£ WILLIAM IL L. BARNES, Corresponding Secretary, 62 Wall Street. 

WILLIAM BOND, Recording Secretary, 21 Nassau Street. 

MAURICE PERKINS, " " Cor. 23d St. and 4tb Ave. 

EVERETT HERRICK, M.D.. Resident Surgeon, 

[Association Buikling, No. 194 Broadway. 

Mrs. E. A. RUSSELL, 3fatron, " " " " 

MEMBERS OF THE ASSOCIATION AND VISITING COMMITTEES: 

REV. Dr. OSGOOD, No. 15-4 West llth Street. 
WILLIAM M. EVARTS, Esq., No. 2 Hanover Street. 
NEHEMIAH KNIGHT, Esq., No. 56 Park Place. 
SAMUEL E. LOW, Esq., No. 81 Burling Slip. 
Gen. P. M. WETMORE, No. 30 Pine Street. 

E. W. STOUGHTON, Esq., No. 72 Wall Street. 
CHARLES GOULD, Esq., No. 2 Hanover Street. 
Hon. B. W. BONNET, .No. 123 Broadway. 
JEREMIAH BURNS, Esq., Astor House. 
CHARLES A. STETSON, Esq., Astor House. 
CHARLES L. PERKINS, Esq., No. W Exchange Place. 
CHARLES C. JOHNSON, Esq., No. 260 Greene Street. 
R. H. McCURDY, Esq., No. 45 Park Place. 

F. E. WELLINGTON, Esq., No. 63 Ann Street. 
WILLIAM H. FOGG, Esq., No, 32 Burling Slip. 
Hon. CHARLES A. PEABODY, No. 60 Wall Street. 
Maj. J. A. PULLEN, No. 74 Broadway. 
WILLIAM BOND, Esq., No. 21 Nassau Street. 
Rev. Dr. HITCHCOCK, No. 149 East 12th Street. 
Dr. ELEAZER PARMLY, No. 3 Bond Street. 

Dr. MAURICE PERKINS, College Physicians and Surgeons. 

Hon. RUFUS F. ANDREWS, No. 47 Wall Street. 

WILLIAM H. L. BARNES, Esq., No. 62 Wall Street 

IIOSEA B. PERKINS, Esq., No. 94 Bowery. 

Rev. Dr. VINTON, Trinity Church. 

JOHN PAINE, Esq., No. 47 W^ill Street. 

SAMUEL W. BRIDGHAM, Esq., No. 24 Waverly Place. 

WILLIAM J. HOPPIN, Esq., No. 61 Pine Street 

Rev. Dr. BELLOWS, No. 59 East 20th Street 

DEXTER A. HAWKINS, Esq., No. 10 Wall Street. 

STATE AGENTS: 

Col. FRANK E. HOWE, No. 194 Broadway, 
Military Agent for the States of Ifaine, Hew Hampshire, Vermont, Massa- 
chusettSy Missouri, Minnesota and Indiana. 

Col. J. H. ALMY, No. 137 Broadway, 

Military Agent for the States of Rhode /stand and Connecticnt. 



llcli) (Kiiglanb Soldiers' Jlelitf l^ssoctiitioit. 

*^-* 

MEDICAL BOARD. 

E K PEASLEE, M. !>., President LEWIS A. SAYKE, M. D., Vice- P resident. 
\V. i:. DoNAGIlK, M. D., /S'ecve^ar//. 

VISITING SURGEONS. 

F J BUMSTEAl), M. I)., Xo. lO'i West 23<1 SIroot. 

W. K. J)ONA(tHK, M. D., No. 50 East 31st Street. 

E K. PEASLEE, M. D., Eitth Avenue Hotel. 

GEOROE A. PETEUS, M. D.. No. 20 West 29th Street. 

1[. B. SANDS, M. ])., No, C4 East r2th Street. 

L. A. SAVKE, M. J)., No. 71)5 IJruadwav. 

W. >[. VAN BUI'.E.V, M. D., East 22d Street, cor -Itli Av.niie. 

VISITING PHYSICIANS. 

AUSTIN FLINT. M. D., No. 74 Union Place. 

A. K. GAKDNEP, M. D., No. 141 East 13th Street. 
llOltACE GREEN, M. D., No. 12 Clinton Place. 

E. W. LAMBERT, M. D., No. 330 6th Avenue. 

B. W. McGREADY. M. D., No. T 0th Street. 

A. UNDERIIILL, M. D., No 44 East 20th Street. 
J. WOKSrER, M. L>., No. 120 'Jth Street, 



WOMEN'S AUXILIARY COMMITTEE. 

Mrs. SAMUEL OSGOOD, No. 154W"est 11th Street. 

Mrs, J. W. POST, No. 70 W\'st 10th Street. 

Mrs. A. BROOKES, No. 32 West 31st Street. 

Mi-s. W. G. STERLING. No. 32 West 33d Street. 

Miss JOHNSTON, No. 1 East 30th Street. 

Mrs. G. C. COLLINS, No. 33 West 25th Street. 

Mrs. CHARLKS GOULD, No. 5 East 2Gth Street. 

Miss MAKIANNA HALh:, No. 322 Lexington Avenue. 

Mrs. E. B. MERRILL. No. 9(5 Madison Avenue. 

Mrs. M. O. KOIJERTS, No. IIS Fifth Avenue. 

Miss GEKTKUDE NOTT, No. 98 East 21st Street. 

Miss FANNY SETON, No. (52 J^:ast 13th Street. 

Mrs. FKANK E. HOWE, No. 94 East 21st Street. 

Mrs. F. E.WELLINGTON. Brooklyn. 

Mrs. E. W, ^'lOUcUlTON, No. 93 Fifth Avenue. 

Mrs. FREDERICK (r. SWAN, No. 23G Fourth Avenue. 

Miss E. R. MORSE, No. 24 William Street. 

Miss MARY E. EARLESS, No, 74 East 23d Street. 

Mrs. GKO. BROWN. No. 2S Washington Square. 

Miss MARGARET E. POST, No. 2(is> Madison Avenue. 

Miss SARAH H. BOSTWICK, No. 75 East 23d Street. 

Mrs. JAMES T. HUDGE, Brooklyn. 

Miss MARY BROWN, No. 301 West 15th Street. 

Mrs. O. B. FROTHINGHAM, No. 113 West 34th Street. 

Miss JANE S, WOOLSEY, No. 8 Brevoort Place. 

Mrs. NEHEMIAH KNIGHT, Brooklvn. 

Mrs. E. R. PEASLEE, Fifth Avenue Hotel. 

Mrs. W. H. BROWN, No. 301 West 15th Street. 

Mrs. J. A. SHERliR, No. 12 East Warren Street, Brooklyn. 

Miss MARGARET OLMSTEAD, No. 156 Madison Avenue. 



NIGHT WATCHERS. 

C. A. ANDREWS, President, B. W. GREENE, Yiee-rresidcnt 

C. T. COGGESHALL, Secretary. 

ANDREWS, C. A„ 139 Fifth Avenue. ENGELHARDT, FRANCIS E., 49 West 
15ROUK.ER, S. T.. I-J Lcroy Street. If.tli Street. 

( ;oCK., G. H., 107 West 'lUl Strei^t. ELLIS. .J. T., r,05 Broadway. 

COOK, H. H. 107 W.'st aisl Street, FKAN KLIN, W. M., 168 East 35tli Street. 

<;ii(JM\VELL. W. IL, Brooklyn. FRANKLIN, JAS. S., 153 East yoUi Street. 

<:OG(jEsllALL, G. T., 1-28 Uowery. GREENE, B. W., 96 East 21st Stteet. 

<;0<iaKSlIALL. E. W„ 1-28 Bowery. JONES, LUTHER M., 88 East IClh Street. 

GARPEiNJ'KK. L W,. 70 Rivin«t(.n Street. KEESK, VV. L., -Wi Peirl Street, 

CRANE, .L IL, 78 Cliutoii Place. LOCK WOOD, R. IL, 81 John Street. 

< ;0(:KS. .JOll.N. N,w Vork. LAWRENCE. C. W.. 255 Henry Street. 

CRAWFORD.W. A,, 1*8 Montague Street, MITCHELL, B., 41 Nortli Moore Street. 

Jirooklyn, MADDREN, W., 117 Fulton Street. 

CAPKON, J A(;OB, 1172 Broadway. PHIFPS. E. I-., 110 West37th Street. 

i)\l BOIS, J, M., (>■'. King Street. RIELLY. J. IL. l.HC. Tliompsoa Street, 

EMERSON, J, HAVEN, 53 West lllli St. SEAMAN, S, H„ 75 Madison Street. 






REPORT OF THE SUPERINTENDENT. 



The following Report of the priictical workhig of 
the ISTew En-gla.:!td Soldiers' Relief Associa^tion is 
designed to render not only the customary account of 
the stewardship of the Superintendent, but also to 
furnish such information concerning the Association, 
and the work it has endeavored to accomplish, as may 
be of interest to its friends and the soldiers who 
have been or may be the objects of its care. 

The preamble to the " Plan of Organization," de- 
clares the purposes of the Association to be : "To aid 
and care for all sick and wounded soldiers passing 
through the City of ^NTew York on their way to or 
from the War." It was established by Sons of Kcw 
England resident in the City of IS'cw York. The 
formal organization was completed April 3d, 1862, 
and on April 8th the building ISTo. 19i Broadway was 
thrown open to the reception of beneficiaries. 

The undersigned was appointed Superintendent of 
the rooms and offices provided for the use of the Asso- 



ciatioii by resolution of the Managers, passed April 
3d, 18G2. 

The building No. 19i Broadway was selected for 
the use of the Association on account of its central 
location, its convenience to the routes of travel by 
which disabled soldiers arrive in the City, and for its 
easy and cheap adaptation to the wants of the Asso- 
ciation. A brief description of the uses to which it is 
put may be of interest. 

The Association occupies the second, third, fourth 
and fifth stories of the building, which is twenty-five 
feet wide and one hundred and seventy-five feet deep, 
and is most thoroughly ventilated and lighted. The 
ground floor and basement ai'e occupied by the 
Superintendent for his private business; the entire 
building being rented for $J:,000 per annum, of which 
the Superintendent pays $2,000. The first story is 
used as a rece])tion and baggage room, and for the 
office of the Association. The reception room is used 
at night for a sleeping room, and in the office are the 
closets and store rooms for clothing and supplies of 
tliat description. The second story contains the '' sick 
ward." The first lialf is devoted to convalescents, and 
the rear half exclusively to cases of serious illness and 
to surgical cases. The apartment of the Resident 
Physician and Surgeon, and tlie medical store-room, 
are on this floor. Tlie third story is a grand Dormi- 
tory. It contains eighty-six beds, and is as comfort- 
able and cleanly as can possibly be desired. The 
upper story contains the dining hall, the kitchen, 
pantries, laundry and wash room. Each floor is fur- 
nished witli supplies of water, in bath rooms, water 
closets and wash stands, sufficient for the utmost re- 
quirements of cleanliness and comfort. The laundry 
is fitted with all the necessary conveniences for wash- 



ing bed linen and soldiers' garments ; and all who 
desire it may have their under clothes washed, ironed 
and returned to them the same day. 

At the opening of tliese rooms, we received from 
private sources many articles essential to the fitting 
of them ; and the United States, through the prompt 
and efficient agency of Dr. R. I. Satteklee, Medical 
Purveyor, provided a large quantity of Hospital bed- 
ding, beds, cups, litters, &c. And also from the 
United States Sanitary Commission, wdiich w^ere fur- 
nished as required, the follow^ing articles: 

33 Quilts. 30 Pair Drawers. 

50 Woolen Shirts. 25 Pair Slippers. 

50 Pair Woolen Socks. 100 Pillows. 

30 Shirts. 30 Cushions for wounded. 
150 Towels. 16 Jars Currant Je\\y. 

1 Box containing a supply of Lint, Bandages, Ad- 
hesive Plaster, old Cotton and Linen, and other ap- 
pliances for the wounded. 

From benevolent and soldiers' relief societies, and 
from town and church organizations and individuals in 
the Eastern States and in I^qw York, a host of articles 
were received — among them second-hand clothing, 
shirts, stockings, drawers, undershirts, brandies, wines, 
fruits, pickles, jellies, lint, bandages, crutches, slip- 
pers, etc. — all of the greatest advantage to us. It is 
matter of regret that the limits prescribed to this 
Report render it impossible to make that detailed 
acknowledgement, which the tender charities and fore- 
thought of the donors deserve. This stream of charit}^ 
has never ceased to flow. If ever our supplies have 



6 

fallen slioit, it lia, rer^iiired but a wliisper of our 
needs to bring a most substantial answer. Just at 
present, owing to the severe battles and exposure of 
the Fall campaigns in Virginia, Maryland and the far 
South, and the improvement recently made by the 
Government in discharging disabled soldiers, causing 
a great increase in the number of applicants for as- 
sistance, our supplies of clothing and nnder-garments 
of every description are quite inadequate to our ne- 
cessities. We are now compelled to deny to deserving 
persons many articles of absolute necessity. Supplies 
of this description cannot be too abundant. The 
utmost charity of the friends of the soldier cannot 
exaggerate their usefulness, nor the extent to which 
they may be nsed. In this connection it may be 
of interest to state, that in one week alone, in the 
month of June last, more than fifteen hundred des- 
titute Union soldiers, just released from the loath- 
some rebel prisons of Eichmond and Salisbury, were 
cleansed, fed and clothed from head to foot in the 
Association. It will be observed, from figures given 
below, how rapidly the calls upon us in this dej^art- 
ment have increased in the succeeding months; and, 
in fact, almost every one of the soldiers received here 
have been furnished witli some articles of necessary 
clothing. The United States have furnished no assist- 
ance in the way of clothing, until recently. From 
Dr. C. MacDougal, Medical Director in this city, 
who has never failed to serve the Association in every 
matter within the scope of his responsible duties, Ave 
liave received fifty suits of army clothing, which we 
are at liberty to distribute at our discretion, as in case 
of other gifts. 

From April 9tb, 1862, to and including December 



7 

let, 1862, tlie Association received, registered, enter- 
tained and clothed sick and wounded or disabled sol- 
diers of the several States below named, as follows : 

Maine 1,184: 

IS^ew Hampshire .... 424 

Vermont 508 

Massachnsetts 1,972 

Khode Island 411 

Connecticut 549 

'New York 806 

Pennsylvania, 546 

Michigan 342 

Ohio 277 

New Jersey 99 

Wisconsin 119 

Virginia 69 

U. S. Eegulars 114 

Kentucky 58 

Minnesota 57 

Indiana 122 

Texas 28 

Berdan S. S 23 

Illinois 27 

Louisiana 15 

Tennessee 6 

Missouri 3 

North Carolina 2 

Georgia ....... 5 

Maryland 12 

Delaware 7 

U. S. Navy 5 

California 1 

District of Columbia ... 5 

Total 7,796 



8 

There is an impression prevalent among the citizens 
of this State, that the Association has no claims upon 
New York for support, because its labors are confined 
to soldiers from the Eastern States only. It will be 
observed, however, from the foregoing exhibit, that 
S06 New York soldiers have received assistance at our 
hands, and that New York stands the third State in 
point of numbers. The care and attention bestowed 
upon all these sick and wounded soldiers have never 
proved too great for the resources of the Association. 
The system adopted in the conduct of its affairs has ena- 
bled us always to provide for every emergency and for 
all applicants ; and experience has demonstrated that, 
notwithstanding the enormous destruction of life, and 
the great amount of sickness in the armies of the 
Union, this Association, properly sustained by the 
(utizens of tlie city of New York, will be able in the 
future, as in the past, to provide for the wants of all 
soldiers who may be the objects of public sympathy, 
and in need of material assistance. 

In addition to the foregoing, w4iose; names have 
passed through our books of registration, many have 
received assistance who have not been registered, and 
of their number we can form only an approximate es- 
timate ; it cannot fall short of three thousand in a 
period of eight months. 

The average number accommodated per month, 
during the period covered by this report, is 1,380. 
The average per day is 46. The largest number 
entertained for a single night is 287. No limit has 
been placed to the period for which soldiers have 
been permitted to remain. Some have received but a 
single meal, or a night's lodging, while others have 
remaiuod for weeks and months, and have been nursed 



through dangerous ilhiesses and tedious convalescence. 
The measure of relief has been nothing, but the ex- 
tent of the soldier's necessities and the ability of the 
Association to aid him. 



Until the month of Ausfust we received all the 
wounded soldiers we could accommodate. No distinc- 
tion was made by Government between the Associa- 
tion and the various depots for sick and woimded men 
established in New York and its vicinity. In August, 
however, an order was made, forbidding all sick and 
disabled soldiers, not furloughed or discharged, from 
receiving other than Government care, and we were 
able to aid thereafter only sucli as had been actually 
discharged from service, or furloughed, or were on 
their way to rejoin their regiments. Of such men we 
received and provided for the following : 

In the month of August 4S0 

" " September 984 

'' " October 1,364 

" " November 930 

" " December, to and includ- 

ing the 16th instant, the number is 651. 
It will not, for the month, fall short of . 1,000 

THE HOSPITAL KECOKD. 

Soon after the Association had become known to 
the public, the friends of sick and wounded soldiers 
in Government hospitals made frequent application to 
us for assistance in obtaining information of their 
whereabouts and condition. The work of ascertaining 
these facts became at last so onerous, that for the con- 
venience of friends and others interested, a regular 



10 

system of liospital visiting was instituted by us, under 
the general charge of Mr. Frank F. Holbrook, and we 
thus ascertained, daily, and preserved a record of, the 
name, company, regiment, residence and condition of 
every soldier in the various Government hospitals in 
and near New York. This record has been of great 
service. Of the labor and attention bestowed upon 
it, and of the great faithfulness with which Mr. 
IIoLBROOK has discharged his duty, some estimate 
may be formed from the fact that it now contains 
the names, description and condition of soldiers of 
the following States, to wit : 

Maine 670 

New Hampshire 369 

Vermont 261 

Massachusetts 1,249 

Eliode Island Ill 

Connecticut 109 

Indiana 245 

Wisconsin . . 220 

Minnesota 18 



Total .... 3,301 



A majority of these men have been supplied, while 
in hospital, by our agents, with means of communi- 
cation witli their friends, and with many comforts for 
which the Government can make no provision ; and 
when finally permitted to go home, they have been 
assisted by us to get there. In very many cases the 
friends of soldiers have been enabled to discover and 
attend to their wants only through the agency of our 
'"Hospital Ilecord.'' Transcripts of the Record are 
also sent from time to time, (it is intended to send 



11 

them weekly^) to the authorities of the States to which 
the men belong. 

Thus it appears that this Association has been tlie 
means of relieving, in the various ways above men- 
tioned, fourteen thousand seven liundred and forty 
eight siclv and wounded soldiers, belonging to twenty 
six States of the Union, the District of Columbia, the 
United States Kegulars, and the "Berdan Sharp- 



In addition to receiving and providing for disabled 
men in its rooms, the Association has found not the 
least of its labors and usefulness in superintending 
their transit through the city. The various routes of 
travel for the Eastern States, by land and water, 
cheerfully entered into arrangements with us, by 
which they furnish upon our certificate, transportation 
to such soldiers at government rates ; thus effecting 
a great saving to the discharged soldiers. All who are 
unable from debility or wounds, to take care of them- 
selves, are attended by the employees or nurses of the 
Association to the point of departure, and in many in- 
stances, have been accompanied and taken care of 
until deposited safely with friends at home. 

Since April 8, 1862, thirty -two deaths have occurred 
in the rooms of the Association, of soldiers from the 
States below named. They were all in the last stages 
of illness when we received them, and were only 
strivino; to reach their homes to die. Of these seven- 
teen were forwarded to their friends, and fifteen were 
buried in the Government burial plot at Cypress Hill 
Cemetery, Long Island. In every instance where it 
was possible to ascertain the address of friends, we 
have informed them, by letter or by telegraph, as the 



12 

case required, of the arrival and condition of men 
dangerously sick, of tlieir progress towards health, or 
their decease : 

state. No. of Deaths. 

Maine, 8 

New Hampshire, 3 

Vermont, 4 

Massachusetts, 4 

Rhode Ishmd, 2 

Connecticut, 5 

Pennsylvania, I 

Kew York, 1 

Indiana 2 



Michigan, 2 



Total, 32 

Those buried at Cypress Ilill Cemetery are interred 
under the charge of the undertaker employed by the 
United States, in separate graves, and under a perfect 
system of marking for identification. At first, funeral 
services were held in the Association Rooms over 
such as died here ; but it was soon found necessary to 
omit all ceremonies, on account of the bad effect pro- 
duced upon the sick; and the dead are now buried 
without ceremonies, but Avith all possible respect. 

Besides thus furnishing a home for these helpless, 
friendless, sick and wounded men, many of whom must 
otherwise have suffered greatly, or died from mere ina- 
bility to make their w\ants known to the community, 
the Association has been of immense service as a 
source of information, practical advice and assistance to 
soldiers and their friends. In this way alone it has 



13 

saved inuch more than tlie amount of money required 
to sustain it. In some days, hundreds of cases are 
disposed of, witliout expense to parties, by means of 
the varied information the Association has collected. 
It has also been the temporary depository of soldiers 
money (which would in all probability have been 
lost, stolen, or squandered recklessly in dissipation if 
left in the owner's possession while wandering about 
the city,) to the amount of one hundred and twenty- 
tliree thousand dollars. It has furnished to soldiers 
the means of communication with friends, as well 
from every hospital in the vicinity of JSTew York as from 
our own rooms ; giving to all wlio could not buy 
tliem, paper, envelopes, postage stamps, etc., to an al- 
most incredible amount — often as many as 175 letters 
per day have been written and mailed through our 
agency ; the ''postage stamp account" alone amounting 
to $522. Many discharged soldiers have left their 
papers in our care, and their pay has been collected and 
forwarded to them free of charge, thereby saving the 
great expense of w^aiting in the city to be paid off, or 
the extortions of the swarms of "claim and pay 
agents" that cluster around every unpaid soldier. 
The amount thus collected and transmitted is $15,200. 
This department is rapidly increasing, and is in a fair 
way to become an important branch of our business. 
In fact, there can hardly be suggested a possible mode 
in which an organization of this character could serve 
the soldier, which is not illustrated in the experience 
of this Association ; and those who have directed or 
assisted in its labors, can find in any one department 
abundant evidence that the Association has more than 
repaid its authors and supporters for their anxieties 
and expenditures of time and money. 

The expenses and disbursements for paper, post- 



14 

age, and for visiting II(>spitals in the vicinity of 'New 
York, have been charged to the account of the several 
States to which the soldiers so assisted belonged, and 
accounts have been rendered to all the States for such 
disbursements. Some States have already responded 
to the call, and we have every reason to anticipate 
speedy re-imbursement of all these outlays, and en- 
courai^ement to continue them. 



SABBATH SERVICES. 

Religious services are. regularly held in the Recep- 
tion Room on Sabbath afternoons, conducted by 
clergymen of every denomination in the city of New 
York, and by many army chaplains. These exercises 
are very interesting, and are well attended by citizens 
as well as soldiers. The Harmonic Society of this 
city has supplied excellent devotional music and ; 
through the instrumentality of one of its members we 
have been furnished by Messrs. Bernard and Fabre- 
guetts with a splendid "Alexandre" organ, which is 
used in tlie services. 

THE NIGHT AYATCHERS' ASSOCIATIOK 

When tlie rooms were first opened, competent and 
faithful volunteer nurses from the Ladies' Auxiliary 
Committee were readily secured to attend the patients 
during the day time; but the want of proper attend- 
ants during the night was easily felt and not easily 
supplied. Hired watchers could not insure experience 
and fidelity ; and all that careful nursing tlie ladies 
had accomplished during the day, was liable to l)e 
undone by blunders and neglect through the night. 

It was i>roposcd by the Su2)erintcndent, and se- 



15 

conded l)y the ladies, tluit the night service should be 
given np to young men whose character and motives 
should be a sufficient warrant of tlieir fidelity. Tlirougli 
the summer, without forming any regular association, 
young men attended in the sick ward as watchers, and 
met the entire confidence of tlie medical attendants, 
and added greatly to the comfort and welfare of the 
men. 

Early in the Fall an Association of these young men 
was formed, consisting of twenty-eight members, of 
which Mr. Luther M. Jones, is President. This Or- 
ganization has secured to us men of experience, who 
have tact and skill in dealing with sick men ; and wlio 
hold themselves and each other to a conscientious dis- 
charge of their duties, and make the service a matter 
of personal responsibility and sacrifice. Its officers 
preserve records of attendance and absence, and to 
prechide any failure of service, a weekly visiting com- 
mittee is appointed, who visit the rooms late in the 
evening, to see if the requisite number of watchers is 
present, and, if necessary, to stay themselves. The 
President of this most valuable and efficient body, in 
submitting his report says: "It will be pleasant for 
those who have friends there to be cared for, to know 
of the deep personal interest the young men often 
liave in those of whom they take care at night. There 
are doubtless many whose nights have become a 
weariness for their anxiety to be with their friends, 
who are suffering and need their care. To such it 
will be a comfort to know, that through the same 
still hours, patient eyes are watching, and strong, wil- 
ling hands are working to relieve and strengthen." 

To this every heart will respond gratefully and at 
once; and it is indeed a delightful duty to acknowledge 
the Christian fidelity and cheerfulness of this most ex- 



16 

celleiit organization, in a work at once bO essential 
and difficult. 

We have been especially fortunate in the selection 
of Samuel E. Low, Esq., as our Treasurer. His zeal 
and precision has given great character to the insti- 
tution, while it has been peculiarly acceptable to the 
Superintendent. 

There has been on the part of all the managers and 
committees of the Association a thorough attention to 
its aifairs. The interest manifested at tlie outset has 
been sustained and increased. From Colonel Joun 
II. Almy, Military Agent of the States of Connecticut 
and Khode Island, the Association is indebted for 
many attentions. Ilis valuable time and business at- 
tainments have always been at our service to the 
fullest extent, and have been availed of in numberless 
instances, to our very great advantage. To them, and 
to the Corresponding Secretary of the Association, 
Major William II. L. Barnes, who has been of material 
assistance in the preparation of this and other docu- 
ments relating to the Association, the Superintendent 
desires to make his grateful acknowledgements. 

There are many other persons who have made extra- 
ordinary exertions and most liberal contributions in aid 
of the Association, to whom it would be gratifying to 
refer in detail, if it were possil)le to do so without ex- 
tending the Ileport beyond all reasonable limits. The 
omission cannot be misunderstood, nor can its ne- 
cessity be regretted by any one more than by tlie 
undersigned. 

The administration of Dr. Everett Herrick, Kesi- 
dent Physician and Surgeon, has been characterized 



17 

by the liigliest medical and surgical skill ; and it is 
only just to liim to say that throughout his connection 
with us, he has exhibited the best qualities of a gen- 
tleman and physician, meriting and receiving the 
confidence and esteem of his patients and of the 
officers of the Association. 

The business department of the Association has 
been well conducted in every respect. The services 
of Major George Browne and the Messrs. Doavxing 
have been of great value. The books of accomit, 
Registers, Records, and papers of every description, are 
models of neatness and completeness, while the uni- 
form courtesy and patient attention of these gentlemen 
to all classes and ranks of visitors, alike in matters 
without as within the scope of their duties, deserve 
the especial recognition and thanks of the Association. 
Mrs. Russell, our matron, has had under her imme- 
diate charge, all the "housekeeping" affairs, and has 
discharged her onerous and trying duties not only to 
the satisfaction of the undersigned, but also to that 
of the Women 's Auxiliary Committee. 

It would be improper to close this Report without a 
reference to the labors performed by the " Women's 
Auxiliary Committee" of the Association, although 
it is utterly impossible to present anything like a just 
view of the patient, unwearied attention, the gentle 
charities and sympathies which have illustrated and 
beautified the experiences of every day. As through 
the loyal States everywhere, so here, the eternal tale 
of w^oman's tenderness and goodness, and self-abne- 
gation, displayed in a thousand ways, and falling like 
sunshine in these shady places of sorrow and pain, 
has been repeated over and over again. Tlieir never- 
failing presence, counsel and zealous care of every- 



18 

thing pertaining to the administration of the internal 
affairs of the Association liave rendered its efforts eco- 
nomical and discriminating, and many a home-sick, 
suftering soldier has found, throngh their ministrations, 
those sympathies and unselfish care which he believed 
he should find only in his distant home and among 
his kindred. 

Respectfully submitted, 

FRANK E. HOWE, 

Biijperintendent. 



New York, Doc. 19th, 18G2. 



COL. FRANK E. HOWE, 

Superintendent of New England Soldiers Relief Association, 
194 Broadway, N. Y. 

Dear Sir : 

Permit me, in behalf of Governor Tod, to 
tender to you, and through you to the Association you re- 
present, many thanks for the kind care bestowed upon Ohio 
soldiers at your rooms, 104 Broadway. It has truly been a 
" Home" to them ; and as long as their sufferings on the 
battle field, their tedious marches and their rejoicings over 
victories are remembered and related to their children and 
friends, so long will our brave boys remember, with hearts 
welling up and overflowing with gratitude, the kind acts and 
words of the ladies and gentlemen in charge of the rooms 
on Broadway. Sick or wounded, discharged or furloughed, 
returning to duty, all have been made welcome at the rooms. 

In closing allow me to thank you for kind co-operation 
and assistance rendered me in my efforts to relieve our 
brave Ohio soldiers here. 

Wishing you, and the noble Association you represent, 
continued success and usefulness, 

I am your obedient servant, 

B. P. BAKER, 

Col. and A, D. C. and Military Agent for Ohio. 



New York, Dec. 19th, 18G2. 



COL. FRANK E. HOWE, 

Sicpcrinlendcnt of New Entjland Soldiers^ Relief Association, 
194 Broadway, N. Y. 

Dear Sir : 

On behalf of the authorities and people of 
the States we represent, permit us to tender to you, and 
through you to the Association under your charge, many 
thanks for the kind care and attention bestowed upon our 
sick and wounded soldiers at the New England Rooms, 
194 Broadway. 

Our soldiers will long remember with gratitude the 
many kind acts of the ladies and gentlemen in charge. 
Sick, wounded and discharged have all been received with 
equal kindness and attention. On the part of the brave 
soldiers and their friends of our own States, permit us to 
thank you. 

Hoping the noble efforts of your Association may meet 
with continued success, and add greatly, as heretofore, to 
the comforts of our brave men who have been willing to 
hazard all for their country, we are, 

Very respectfully, 

Your obedient servants, 

C. W. BURTON, 

Military Agent for Pennsylvania. 

DARIUS CLARK, 

Military Agent for Michigan. 



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